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Philadelphia House Delegation releases statement on SEPTA proposals

Young announces committee assignments for 2025-26

(1 day ago)

State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that she has been assigned by House leadership to serve on five standing House committees for the 2025-26 legislative session. Young will serve on the Appropriations, Education, Game & Fisheries, Labor & Industry, and Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development committees in the state House of Representatives. Read more

 

Neilson introduces legislation to protect consumer’s online data

(Jan 09, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 9 – Today, state Rep. Ed Neilson introduced legislation (H.B. 78) along with state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba to establish a Consumer Data Privacy Act, which would ensure that consumers are able to make informed decisions about how their data is being used online or sold to a third party. “Unlike other states, Pennsylvania has no safeguard to protect our constituents’ privacy,” Neilson said. “Pennsylvanians should be able to interact online without worrying how their information is used; they deserve the option to protect themselves from targeted advertising and other nefarious ways their information can be used.” Neilson added that it’s unfair to consumers who expect their private information to be safely stored with one business, but they are incentivized to sell it to third parties for targeted advertising purposes. “Many other states have protections for consumer data, but we are falling behind in Pennsylvania,” Neilson continued. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to establish important privacy laws.” House Bill 78 is based on similar legislation from last session (formerly H.B.1201), which received bipartisan support in the House but failed to receive a vote in the Senate before the end of the year. Read more

 

Rep. Dawkins takes oath of office to start legislative session

(Jan 08, 2025)

Returns to lead busy House Labor and Industry Committee Read more

 

Young Takes Oath for 3rd Term in PA House

(Jan 08, 2025)

Pa. state Rep. Regina Young is excited to begin her third term in the #PAHouse , continuing her work to improve lives and bring a brighter future for the next generation. Read more

 

Cephas sworn-in for fifth term in PA House

(Jan 07, 2025)

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., took her oath of office today in a ceremony at the state Capitol in Harrisburg to begin her fifth term serving the 192nd Legislative District in the state House of Representatives. The oath was administered by Pa. Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd. Following her swearing-in, Cephas nominated state Rep. Joanna McClinton for speaker of the House who was then re-elected to continue serving as the first woman speaker in the history of the House. Read more

 

Young takes oath of office for new legislative term

(Jan 07, 2025)

State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, was sworn in to office today for the 2025-26 legislative session, launching her third term as the state representative for the 185th Legislative District in the PA House of Representatives. Young took the oath of office administered by PA Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. Read more

 

Dougherty sworn-in as state representative for Northeast Philadelphia district

(Jan 07, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 7 – Today, State Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila., was sworn in to begin his first term as state representative for the Pennsylvania’s 172 nd Legislative District. The district encompasses the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods of Bustleton, Burholme, Fox Chase, Pine Valley and parts of Rhawnhurst. Dougherty grew up in his district (Pine Valley) and expressed excitement as he begins his term. “Being sworn in to the Pennsylvania State House to serve the community where I grew up and live is the honor of my lifetime,” Dougherty said. “I can’t wait to hit the ground running by fighting for legislative initiatives to benefit Northeast Philadelphia and providing my neighbors with important state government-related services.” Dougherty stated that his legislative priorities include community safety, proper education funding, jobs and protecting reproductive freedom. More information about Dougherty can be found on his website and in his biography . Read more

 

Fiedler named chair of newly established House Energy Committee

(Jan 07, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 7 – Today, State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., was appointed majority chair of the newly established Pennsylvania House Energy Committee. Pennsylvania is the nation’s second largest supplier of energy, and hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians work in the energy sector. As chair of the House Blue-Green Caucus , Fiedler has worked to advance energy policy that preserves these family-sustaining jobs while increasing production of renewables. “I’m honored that Speaker McClinton and Leader Bradford have entrusted me with such an important role, and I’m ready to do big things with the new committee,” Fiedler said. “Demand is rising, and Pennsylvania has an opportunity to strengthen our role as an energy leader. I believe we can do that and more by expanding our energy production -- especially in the growing renewables field -- while creating good jobs and protecting our environment.” Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, said: “Representative Fiedler is a proven leader who, since being elected, has championed policies that support her neighbors and people across the state. Her interest in the environment and energy issues, coupled with her intense focus on building a better future for all Pennsylvanians, equip her to be an effective chair of the new House Energy Committee.” This new committee will review bills related Read more

 

Burgos takes oath of office for fourth term

(Jan 07, 2025)

During a ceremony at the state Capitol to open Pennsylvania’s 209th legislative session, state Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila., took the oath of office to begin his fourth term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he’ll also serve as chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee for the first time. Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 30, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Recovery Housing for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Other Drugs Who May Apply: Community-based organizations, community action agencies, or public health programs that focus on assisting individuals in accessing recovery housing. Use: Personnel services, consulting services, subcontract services, patient services, equipment, supplies, travel, and other costs associated with assisting individuals access recovery housing. Funds: DDAP expects to award five grants totaling $500,000 each. Application Deadline: January 10, 2025 More information: DDAP Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Integrated Health Solutions Who May Apply: Community-based organizations, community action agencies, or public health programs that focus on assisting individuals in accessing recovery housing. Use: Personnel services, consulting services, subcontract services, patient services, equipment, supplies, travel, and other costs associated with assisting individuals access recovery housing. Funds: DDAP expects to award five grants totaling $500,000 each. Application Deadline: January 10, 2025 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit Read more

 

Hohenstein lauds more than $450,000 in state funding for Philadelphia Regional Port Authority

(Dec 19, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – Today, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein announced that $454,000 in state funding has been awarded to the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority doing business as PhilaPort in his district, which will be used to reconstruct an existing 1,300 feet of track at the Tioga Marine Terminal. “Tioga Marine Terminal is one of Philadelphia’s most crucial port areas where cargo carrying all kinds of important goods and resources is shipped to,” Hohenstein said. “This funding to reconstruct so much of their existing track will keep the terminal running for many decades to come and keep Philadelphia’s shipping moving at a necessary pace.” This funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program . Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 17, 2024)

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Community and Economic Development: Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program Who May Apply: Community-based non-profit organizations with a history of at least 3 years operating experience, educational institutions, and non-profit economic development organizations with a history of at least 3 years operating experience. Use: Creation or support of a Business Assistance Service Center for the purpose of serving small, historically disadvantaged businesses. Funds: $20 million in funding was appropriated in the 2024/25 state budget. Application Deadline: January 22, 2025 More information: DCED Website Council on the Arts: Entry to Arts Organizations and Arts Programs (EAOAP) Who May Apply: Non-profit agencies with a history of at least two years of consistent arts programming in Pennsylvania and an annual average arts revenue over $200,000. Use: Entry track is the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ (PCA) point of entry for organizations or programs to the AOAP. Applicants must apply in Entry track until recommended for AOAP, which is based on panel review and assessment totals Funds: Grants totaling $5,000 will be awarded. Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 More information: Arts Website Council on the Arts: Arts Read more

 

Cephas applauds withdrawal of liquor license expansion application at local establishment

(Dec 05, 2024)

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. made the following statement regarding the withdrawal of an application for a liquor license extension with the PLCB for a local establishment at 1101 N. 63rd St. in the Overbrook Farms section of West Philadelphia: “I’ve been fighting to end nuisance Stop and Gos in West Philadelphia for years, so I’m pleased to see that ongoing advocacy from neighbors in the area resulted in their desired outcome due to concerns about potential impacts of a license expansion. This grassroots-level work by our community goes hand-in-hand with the recent recommendations of the Legislative Stop and Go Task Force, which I fully support and look forward to implementing in the upcoming legislative session. “The applicant has submitted a new application to transfer the liquor license to a different location in another area of the city. I remain hopeful that this transfer will place the license in a part of the city where it better aligns with the desires of the local community.” Cephas serves as chairwoman of the Philadelphia House Delegation and was a driving force in the creation of the Legislative Stop and Go Task Force which released its recommendations in October 2024. Read more

 

Krajewski, Frankel plan to introduce legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis, prioritizing public health, community repair

(Dec 02, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 2, 2024 – State Reps. Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel announced Monday their co-sponsorship memo for landmark legislation to finally decriminalize cannabis in Pennsylvania , vowing to create a strong marketplace that centers public health, raises state revenue and supports individuals and communities harmed by the criminalization of cannabis. Krajewski, who led the House Health Subcommittee on Health Care, chaired five hearings to examine the successes and failures of cannabis programs in other states in the previous legislative session. “We’ve heard from public health experts. We’ve heard from criminal justice and social equity advocates. We’ve learned directly from states across the country how to get this done safely and efficiently, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in public revenue,” said Krajewski. “It’s time to move forward in Pennsylvania before we fall further behind.” Twenty-four other states – including nearly every state that shares a border in Pennsylvania – have already legalized recreational marijuana. Polls show that cannabis decriminalization is popular among Pennsylvanians across all political parties . Frankel, who is majority chair of the House Health Committee, said that the criminalization of cannabis has been disastrous for the commonwealth, particularly within communities of color. “We have a moral obligation to not Read more

 

Solar for Schools grant program now accepting applications

(Dec 02, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 2 – A new state grant program designed to benefit Pennsylvania schools is now accepting applications until Jan 31, 2025. Solar for Schools , introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., will help school districts install solar panels on their roofs or grounds. Solar is a cheap energy source that can free up funds for schools that currently rely on fluctuating, market-rate energy. “While Solar for Schools will undoubtedly deliver tremendous savings to schools, I believe its positive impact will be even bigger,” Fiedler said. “The workers who install these solar panels will earn living wages that support their families. Kids in classrooms will get to see firsthand the careers of skilled trades workers and use the solar panels as an educational tool. And this is all while their school is contributing to a healthier environment for them to live in.” Some forward-thinking districts across Pennsylvania have already installed solar arrays and are reaping millions in savings . But not all schools have the necessary flexibility in their budgets to make such investments. In fact, the contrary is often true -- many PA school districts are recovering from decades of unconstitutional underfunding or face shrinking tax bases, expiring COVID-19 recovery funds and other financial challenges. Solar for Schools grants cover up to 50 % of the Read more

 

Neilson applauds Gov. Shapiro for redirecting federal funding to SEPTA

(Nov 22, 2024)

House Transportation Committee Chair, state Rep. Ed Neilson made the following statement on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s redirection of $153 million in federal highway capital funds to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to allow for continued service, avoid immediate service cuts and delay more significant fare increases until July 1, 2025: “I want to thank Governor Shapiro for his leadership and support of Pennsylvania’s most complex and robust transit authority. SEPTA is a lifeline for people in Philadelphia and the outlying counties, providing almost 800,000 people daily with transportation that they might not otherwise have. “We have been sounding the alarm around public transit funding for months. On our statewide tour about the transportation needs of urban, suburban and rural Pennsylvania, we heard from countless experts who spoke of the dire consequences that would come without action from the General Assembly. “The PA House Democrats took that input seriously, passing bipartisan legislation to properly fund public transit in all 67 counties on three different occasions, which was never brought up for consideration in the Senate. “This isn’t just about buses; this is about jobs. This is about making sure that our businesses can still get their employees to work. Transit is an investment, not an expense. For every dollar invested in transit, we generate Read more

 

Trans Day of Remembrance 2024

(Nov 20, 2024)

On this Day of Remembrance, reach out to a trans person in your life to let them that you see and respect them. If you don’t know a trans person, take some time to find out more about their community, so that ‘they/them’ can truly become ‘us.’ Read more

 

Immigration a driving force in Pa. economy, filling labor shortages

(Nov 13, 2024)

“Immigrants are small business owners, healthcare workers, educators, and laborers,” said Rep. Danillo Burgos, who served as the hearing host. Burgos also serves as the chairman on the House Majority Policy Subcommittee on Progressive Policies and is the chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus. “They support industries essential to Pennsylvania’s economy while revitalizing neighborhoods and investing in our community’s future.” Read more

 

Philadelphia House Delegation releases statement on SEPTA proposals

(Nov 12, 2024)

The Philadelphia House Delegation today released the following statement in reaction to this morning’s announcement from SEPTA regarding major fare increases and service cuts proposed to begin on Jan. 1. The following statement can be attributed to Philadelphia House Delegation Chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila.“This morning's announcement from SEPTA is not a surprise and lays squarely at the feet of Senate Republicans,” Cephas said. “The House approved funding for mass transit three times over the last session, with no real action and vague concepts of ideas from the Senate in return. Our delegation is hopeful that 2025 will bring a more productive collaboration on a responsible solution that will serve the daily needs of nearly one million daily SEPTA riders and the increased tourism expected for our region in 2026. In the short term, Philadelphians who are already struggling through difficult finances will brace for another impact to their wallets and time.”The current legislative term ends on Nov. 30, after which any legislation not signed into law will need to be reintroduced and restart the legislative process in the new term, which begins on Jan. 7. Read more

 

Cephas announces redevelopment grant awarded

(Nov 01, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., today announced a $750,000 grant was awarded by Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to the Cobbs Creek Foundation to help with its Cobbs Creek stream restoration project. Read more

 

Young announces committee assignments for 2025-26
1 day ago

Neilson introduces legislation to protect consumer’s online data
Jan 09, 2025

Rep. Dawkins takes oath of office to start legislative session
Jan 08, 2025

Young Takes Oath for 3rd Term in PA House
Jan 08, 2025

Cephas sworn-in for fifth term in PA House
Jan 07, 2025

Young takes oath of office for new legislative term
Jan 07, 2025

Dougherty sworn-in as state representative for Northeast Philadelphia district
Jan 07, 2025

Fiedler named chair of newly established House Energy Committee
Jan 07, 2025

Burgos takes oath of office for fourth term
Jan 07, 2025

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Health, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 30, 2024

Hohenstein lauds more than $450,000 in state funding for Philadelphia Regional Port Authority
Dec 19, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 17, 2024

Cephas applauds withdrawal of liquor license expansion application at local establishment
Dec 05, 2024

Krajewski, Frankel plan to introduce legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis, prioritizing public health, community repair
Dec 02, 2024

Solar for Schools grant program now accepting applications
Dec 02, 2024

Neilson applauds Gov. Shapiro for redirecting federal funding to SEPTA
Nov 22, 2024

Trans Day of Remembrance 2024
Nov 20, 2024

Immigration a driving force in Pa. economy, filling labor shortages
Nov 13, 2024

Philadelphia House Delegation releases statement on SEPTA proposals
Nov 12, 2024

Cephas announces redevelopment grant awarded
Nov 01, 2024